Public workers, mortgage rules, federal debt and more

Renewing criticism of public-sector workers

Your recent editorial (“Why the public trough is so deep,” Jan. 12) was truly awe-inspiring. Using the death of an economist as a segue to launch another attack on the exorbitant salaries and work-condition requests of public workers, you really told off those ungrateful, inept and interchangeable moochers.

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How dare Oceanside firefighters be paid more than foot doctors (even though the difference is less than $1,000)? Who do they think they are? We could find a bunch of out-of-work people who would do their jobs for a whole lot less money. How hard is it to put out a fire anyway? While we’re at it, let’s see if we can farm out cops’ and teachers’ jobs, too. We could save a ton of money and get out from under those stupid retirement plans. The teachers would be easy to replace, but we’d probably have to do background checks on the people for the police jobs. But no matter. We’ll be saving a ton of cash.

Like you, I’m tired of paying for well-qualified workers and giving them a living wage and health care. The money I have to pay in taxes prevents me from buying things I want and then I have to wait in line at the DMV or City Hall? I don’t think so. We could hire two or three out-of-work people for each fired moocher and then none of us would ever have to stand in line again.

So I’m with you. Let’s find a way to break these public-sector contracts and get us some real value for our tax dollars. The private sector has done it. They don’t pay those high salaries and don’t have to give benefits to their workers, and the lines aren’t too long at Kohl’s. – Charlie Roach, Rancho San Diego

‘Right’ vs. ‘dream’

I just read in “New curbs on risky mortgages” (Business, Jan. 11), “Federal regulators for the first time are laying out rules aimed at ensuring that mortgage borrowers can afford to repay the loans they take out.” What a concept; such profound thinkers and visionaries these people are!

If I remember correctly, it was Chris Dodd, Barney Frank and my favorite, Maxine Waters, who objected to this original requirement. They mandated banks to create interest-only loans and loans that required no documentation of income (aka: liar loans), all of which led to the inflation of the housing market and the subsequent collapse.

Their argument was the former requirements (proving you could repay the loan) were discriminatory and did not allow people to fulfill the American “dream” of home ownership. The operative word here is “dream,” which should never be confused with the word “right.” No one has a “right” to own a home, you work for it and you earn it. Hey, I have a “dream” of owning a 2013 Ferrari. Should I contact the government to see if they can fulfill my “dream”?

Michael Savage once said, “liberalism is a mental disorder.” This is further proof that he is correct. – Richard J. Moker, Valley Center

Apply budget savings to federal debt

In his analysis of [Chuck] Hagel’s postures on a number of issues in Saturday’s Charles Krauthammer commentary (“The meaning of Hagel,” Opinion, Jan. 12), I was concerned about one point pertaining to the trimming of the defense budget. There may well be bloat in the military, but Krauthammer points out it there is a cut, Obama will apply any savings to new welfare programs. What about reducing the national debt? There’s a concept!

Oh, that’s right. Obama wants to grow the welfare state, doesn’t seem the slightest bit bothered by running up the debt, and does exactly what he wants. – Diane Obright, Encinitas

What other ordinances are in jeopardy?

I am so disgusted that one of the first actions our new mayor took was to send a memo to our police chief and city attorney to stop code enforcement pertaining to “pot shops” (“Filner: Stop pot shop crackdown,” Local, Jan. 11). What other ordinances, codes and/or laws can we anticipate Mayor Filner to expunge from the city of San Diego charter in the next four years? When the majority of voters on government assistance outnumber the wage earners in a county, this is the type of governance everyone gets. My hopes are we survive these next four years and have better judgment in the next election. – Kathy Tuttle, Rancho Bernardo

Don’t bully Hispanics

I was very impressed with the “Lone Star rock star” article by Ruben Navarrette Jr. (Opinion, Jan. 11). I don’t often agree with his point of view however, this one was fair. I’m a Hispanic woman with a similar family background like that of Ted Cruz. My parents were proud, strong, hard workers who came to the United States from Mexico for a better life and raised us to be Americans. We had an intimate relationship with poverty; however, that did not stop us from achieving our dreams.

Upon leaving that [commentary], I read the poison-pen letter to the editor from Patrick Velasquez, co-chair of the San Diego Chicano/Latino Concilio, attacking Francis Barraza for aligning herself and accepting the appointment of executive director of the San Diego GOP. WOW! I really want to meet this fantastic Republican woman and attorney, and praise her for her accomplishments.

Velasquez says that it’s a” tragedy for the entire Chicano community” and “that she aligns herself with a party that supports blatantly racist policies.” He goes on to mention education, immigration, social services, etc. Who are these services for? My poor parents never had any assistance and we survived and thrived. Spanish was our first language and yet we are all fluent in both languages without bilingual or English as a Second Language education.

I left the Democratic Party decades ago because there wasn’t any room in the party for a conservative independent decision-maker who wants less government in my life. I was not brainwashed into my conservatism, I was born into it as are most Hispanics. I never felt that I should be treated differently than any other person by anyone. I was elected into office (Solana Beach councilwoman and mayor) on my principles and not for the color of my skin. Most Hispanics, like my parents and siblings, do not want handouts nor dependency on the government. That’s too easy. We are hard workers and achievers and in America there are rewards for these qualities. It’s called THE AMERICAN DREAM.

It’s unfortunate that Velasquez believes that he can use his position to bully other Hispanics to believe that they must be Democrats and if you’re not you are associating with a party of racists. We are all free to make individual decisions based on our beliefs, research and knowledge. My individual beliefs happen to mirror those of the Republican Party more than those of the Democratic Party. That’s why I left and after reading [his] letter, I’m glad I did. – Tere Renteria, Carlsbad

I grew up in East Los Angeles and picketed often for Cesar Chavez and was intimately involved with the Chicano movement. The letter from Velasquez does every American a disservice, his vile attempt to degrade the service of a Marine is the view of someone who has had many trips to Cuba. I believe he would sacrifice our freedom in return for socialism. His type of liberal-left coalition has controlled the L.A. school system since before I attended in the ’60s, and today the dropout rate is greater then ever.

I have reconsidered my affinity for the Democratic Party and so should every American especially those who wish to keep open the ladder of opportunity for all. Mr. Velasquez, I’m sure, would not approve any Republican. Left-wing radicals only want like-minded people in power, and any sex- and race-baiting is a smoke screen.

My son served 2 combat tours after 9/11 and Americans of Mexican descent have a long and proud history of serving our country. Mr. Velasquez would better serve our community by making sure our vets are not penalized by the tax-funded state public college system, which refuses to recognize credits received elsewhere or give them equal status with all entry applicants, as they could have been in college except for their willingness to step in harm’s way for the freedom of all of us. – Michael Sanchez, Hemet